Silicon Valley's AI Giants Pour $51 Million Into Midterm War Chest, Seeking Regulatory Shield
(Bloomberg) — In a bold move to sway the regulatory landscape, Silicon Valley's most influential artificial intelligence backers have bankrolled a new political war chest with over $50 million, filings show. The 'Leading the Future' super PAC and its affiliated groups closed 2025 with nearly $49.6 million cash on hand, positioning itself as a formidable force in the upcoming midterm elections.
The driving forces behind the haul are Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, co-founders of the venture firm Andreessen Horowitz, each contributing $12.5 million. They were joined by OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife Anna, who matched the sum with another $12.5 million donation.
The surge in political spending underscores a deepening anxiety within the tech industry. As states from California to New York advance a fragmented array of bills aimed at reining in AI development, executives fear a patchwork of restrictive laws could stifle innovation and cede competitive ground to global rivals. "This isn't just about lobbying; it's a defensive campaign for the future of U.S. tech leadership," said a PAC strategist familiar with the matter.
Leading the Future's strategy mirrors the playbook of crypto-focused super PACs, which successfully funneled over $133 million into the 2024 cycle. The group has already begun deploying funds, targeting state-level races where AI regulation is a key issue. In New York, its Democratic-aligned affiliate, Think Big, has spent nearly $600,000 opposing a state assemblyman who sponsored stringent AI oversight legislation. Meanwhile, its Republican counterpart, American Mission, is backing a candidate in a competitive Texas primary.
"The scale of this fundraising is a clear signal that the AI industry is moving from the lab to the lobby, full force," said David Chen, a political science professor at Stanford University. "They're not just seeking a seat at the table—they're trying to build the table."
Other observers were more critical. Elena Rodriguez, a consumer advocacy lawyer, reacted sharply: "It's outrageous. This is a blatant attempt by billionaires to purchase policy outcomes. They're terrified that the public might actually want safeguards against biased algorithms and job displacement, so they're buying legislators to keep the rules weak."
Michael Gates, a small business owner from Ohio, offered a pragmatic view: "I get why they're doing it. Every industry advocates for itself. But the sheer amount of money is concerning. It makes you wonder if the voices of ordinary people and smaller companies will be drowned out."
With $125 million in total commitments and plans to establish a network of state-level PACs, Leading the Future is poised to become one of the most well-funded single-issue political operations in the country, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash between technological ambition and regulatory oversight.